LINZ, January 27, 2024 (Press Release)

Swarovski has unveiled an iconic signature trophy, especially made for the Upper Austria Ladies Linz. The WTA Tour 500 tournament to be held from January 28 to February 4, 2024.

Created by Swarovski’s master craftspeople at the company’s Tyrolean headquarters in Wattens, the shimmering golden trophy captures the strength, grace, and spirit of the women’s game.

Measuring 60cm high and weighing 3.5 kg, the trophy comprises a sculptural golden base inspired by the movement of a graceful tennis serve, topped with a shimmering golden tennis ball that sparkles with 8,100 golden-hued, hand-set Swarovski crystals.

It is the first tennis trophy created by the Austrian crystal Maison and demonstrates the creativity and savoir-faire that lies at the heart of the brand, which was founded in Wattens in 1895 by Daniel Swarovski.

The new trophy will be awarded to the winner of this year’s tournament, which attracts the tennis world elite and takes place from 28 January to 4 February at the Linz Design Centre. It is sure to become a coveted and iconic prize which will shine as a beacon of inspiration to young players around the world.

Barbara Schett, tournament Ambassador and Austria’s finest female tennis player of all time, commented: “We are thrilled to present our winner with this magnificent and unique trophy. It is a first on the tennis tour and the players will love it. Swarovski is an incredible global brand, and it makes me very proud that it is Austrian. I love what they are able to create with crystals: the sparkle is incredible, and I can just imagine how the trophy will shimmer beautifully when the Centre Court is darkened during the winner’s ceremony.”

In addition, Swarovski will present a dazzling Millenia necklace to a special guest and tennis legend, as well as 70 Matrix tennis bracelets to all the competitors.

Staged in the picturesque city of Linz nestling in the beautiful region of Upper Austria close to the German and Czech borders, Upper Austria Ladies Linz is the world’s second oldest women’s indoor tournament and Austria’s most important sports event for women.

The 33rd edition will be a special one as it marks the first time it is classified as a WTA 500 tournament after the organizing body awarded it an upgrade.

Many tennis superstars have competed at Linz over the years, including 19 of the 29 World No. 1s. Legends such as Maria Sharapova, Ana Ivanovic, Jana Novotna, Justine Henin, Lindsay Davenport, Mary Pierce, Victoria Azarenka, Angelique Kerber and Aryna Sabalenka are all past winners, as is US Open champion Coco Gauff, who won her first WTA title here in 2019 at the tender age of 15.

Competing this year for the trophy and prize money of $922,573 are three-time grand slam champion and former World No. 1 Angelique Kerber from Germany, and former World No. 3 Elina Svitolina of Ukraine, who have both returned to the circuit after giving birth to baby girls, and Australian Open semifinalist sensation Dayana Yastremska from Ukraine.
 
Tickets for the 33rd Upper Austria Ladies Linz at the Design Centre Linz are available via the online ticket shop.